ESPN decided to use one of its rare opportunities to have Notre Dame on its network, and now fans within the SEC are upset over their own scheduled kickoff times. So, just another weekend of college football.
We usually see this every season. A few teams are upset about their slotted time for kickoff, even if the network gives each team a glimpse into what each particular weekend could look like before the first game is kicked off.
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In the case of Oct. 17, which is stacked with a number of games that will draw significant ratings, it’s FOX versus ESPN/ABC in the noon time slot, with the SEC going up against the Big Ten and Notre Dame.
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And yes, we are lined up for what should be a great day of football, just based off the current rankings.
- No. 5 Ohio State @ No. 7 Indiana (12 pm ET on FOX)
- No. 16 Florida @ No. 1 Texas (12 pm ET on ESPN networks)
- No. 17 Mississippi State @ No. 10 LSU (12 pm ET on ESPN networks)
- No. 6 Alabama @ No. 15 Tennessee (3:30 pm ET on ESPN networks)
- No. 14 Missouri @ No. 9 Ole Miss (3:30 pm ET on ESPN networks)
- No. 3 Notre Dame @ No. 8 BYU (7:30 pm ET on ABC)
Also, Florida State will travel south to play No. 4 Miami that weekend, which also got a night kickoff.
Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr looks to pass against North Carolina behind the block of offensive lineman Sullivan Absher (75) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Oct. 3, 2026, in Chapel Hill, N.C. (AP Photo/Chris Seward)
Not quite understanding the logic behind four games being played at same times
Ok yes, the ESPN family of networks deciding to have four of their best games of the weekend starting at the same time is a real kick to the groin for college football fans. But, there is also a reason to the madness.
The Florida versus Texas matchup was announced over the summer as getting the early treatment, along with Mississippi State and LSU. So, for those of you acting surprised by this news, I guess you had forgotten the SEC does an early schedule release in June.
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But, that’s fine, I can somewhat understand the disappointment for some fans, though Florida did just get destroyed by Missouri this past weekend, while Mississippi State was wrangled by Alabama.
The outcry for many who enjoy watching SEC football is the evening slate, also known as the ‘flex’. Yes, for the second-straight week, the conference will broadcast two games that will garner pretty bad ratings.
ESPN College GameDay analyst Pat McAfee and Nick Saban stand on the lawn of Ayres Hall at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 26, 2026. (Getty Images)
Then, ESPN/ABC decided it was going to take full-advantage of Notre Dame playing on the road at BYU, especially given that the network has the rights to broadcast Big 12 teams. So naturally, and rightfully, the company decided to air one of the most premier names in all of college football on its main network in primetime.
While I understand the sentiment of those looking forward to the Alabama versus Tennessee showdown in Knoxville, I can’t say that I’m astonished that it’s being played at 3:30 pm ET. Now, I do understand the frustration from those within the Tennessee athletic department who were under the impression that if both teams were good enough, that game would be played at night.
Having said that, and knowing the SEC is a bit agitated with its television rights owner, I don’t blame ABC one bit for using Notre Dame for ratings. Why not? One of the best teams in the country going on the road to Provo, playing a top-ten BYU squad, is a potential advertising success for the network.
The decision makers chose to punt on real competition next weekend
Could ESPN have chosen to put its ‘premier’ (Alabama @ Tennessee) game of the day on ESPN and see who won the ratings war?
Sure. It would’ve made for an interesting comparison of ratings. But, ESPN is almost assuredly headed for Provo with their College Gameday, though the Ohio State visit to Indiana would also make for great television, even if Big Noon Kickoff on FOX will be in the same location.
At the end of the day, ESPN decided it was best to put two of its best games smack dab in the middle of the afternoon, which used to be the premier spot for the SEC on CBS.
Tennessee Volunteers fans cheer before a game between the Tennessee Volunteers and the Texas Longhorns at Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, Tenn., on Sept. 26, 2026. (ISI Photos via Getty Images)
Yes, fans have the right to be confused and upset that the conferences will be represented in ‘primetime’ by two games that look horrid on paper.
No, Arkansas @ Vanderbilt, and Kentucky @ Oklahoma will not fill your cup, as you settle in for a night of college football. And for that, you can blame the network.
They could have given you at least one of those early-day games in the night slot, even if the network would see a slight dip in the ratings due to going up against Notre Dame.
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This time, ESPN made the right call with showcasing the Fighting Irish, but also made a terrible mistake in not giving them competition from the Southeastern Conference.
Remember, two things can be true at the same time.